McCrea has been the department's most powerful messenger for fire prevention in the last 10 years. As Sparky the Dog, McCrea has donned a Dalmatian costume, complete with helmet, to teach elementary school children how to escape from a burning home.

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Pittsburgh to disband fire unit that inspects alarms, sprinklers

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - As part of its five-year financial recovery plan, the city plans to disband the Fire Bureau unit responsible for inspecting fire alarms and sprinkler systems in all commercial buildings, residential high-rises and other buildings.

The city expects its Bureau of Building Inspection to take over the Fire Bureau's inspections by January if there's money to hire and train new inspectors, said Ron Graziano, the inspection bureau's chief.

The city hopes to save about $500,000 annually by disbanding the unit - whose inspectors also oversee handling of hazardous materials and educating the public on fire safety. Graziano said he won't know until next year whether he can hire five new inspectors to do the job.

"Nothing is definite, yet," he said. "Most likely, I envision a third-party agency to test and maintain all existing systems."

In his $415 million proposed budget for next year, lame-duck Mayor Tom Murphy cut $8.75 million from the Fire Bureau's budget to stave off a $15 million deficit.

Attrition reduced the Fire Bureau's inspection crew from 14 to four this year, and Graziano and Fire Chief Michael Huss are looking at qualifications independent inspectors would need to test a building's fire-prevention system.

But no matter who performs the inspections, fire officials said it is imperative that public education continues.

"If I can prevent the pain and agony someone goes through to survive a fire, it's worth my effort," said Floyd McCrea, the bureau's education officer.

McCrea has been the department's most powerful messenger for fire prevention in the last 10 years. As Sparky the Dog, McCrea has donned a Dalmatian costume, complete with helmet, to teach elementary school children how to escape from a burning home.

Neighborhood groups would like the bureau not to send Sparky away.

Huss hopes the department will keep its hazardous materials and public education functions.

Capt. Richard Caruso, a hazardous materials inspector, said the downsized crew has been able to keep up with annual inspections and review recently installed fire-suppression systems. But the unit lacks the manpower to inspect all the existing systems in about 1,000 buildings throughout the city.